October 16, 2026 - Australia exported 14 million metric tons of coking coal in September 2026, up 12.4% from a year earlier and 2.9% from August, according to BigMint figures reported by IndexBox.

Increased shipments to China and Japan supported the growth, offsetting weaker purchases by India and Vietnam.

China was Australia’s largest coking coal customer during September, receiving 3.34 million metric tons. That was more than double the volume shipped a year earlier and 20.1% above August. Japan received 3.06 million metric tons, an increase of 14.6% year over year and 36.6% from the previous month.

Shipments to India fell to 1.63 million metric tons, down 41.6% from September 2025 and 56.3% from August. Exports to Vietnam totaled 430,000 metric tons, declining 37.7% year over year and 54.7% month over month.

Australia’s third-quarter coking coal exports reached 39.89 million metric tons, an 8.8% increase over the same period in 2025. Shipments for January through September totaled 114.03 million metric tons, up 4.5%.

India remained the largest destination over the first nine months, purchasing 25.98 million metric tons despite a 12.3% year-over-year decline. China’s purchases rose 89.1% to 15.37 million metric tons, helping offset lower shipments to India and South Korea.

India’s expanding steel industry continues to influence global coking coal trade. According to IndexBox, Indian steelmakers are diversifying their suppliers, increasing purchases from the United States, Mozambique and Russia as Australia’s share of that market declines.